The Collegian

Issue date: 3/13/06 Section: News

Media Credit: James Snyder Myspace gets the boot

The Internet website Myspace has taken the world by storm, creating a stir in youths and adults alike. But for Delta students, it has created a distraction and caused many students to have to wait in long lines in order to use the computers available in labs such as Cunningham 220.

"So many students were using the computers to check Myspace that there was a line all the way around the computer lab and almost out the door," said Associate Vice President of Information Technology Lee Belarmino.

Starting the fourth week of February Myspace has been blocked from both of Delta's servers, administrative and academic. The goal of blocking Myspace was to put the focus back into course-related work for students who wanted to use the computers offered.

"Since it has been blocked, only one or two people are waiting in line," said Belarmino. "There are much better resources available for students."

In the Lab Brochure, under Internet Access states, "Access to the Internet in the academic computing labs is for course-related assignments and course-related research only." And all through the brochure it states that the labs should only be used for schoolwork.

There is nothing blocked by either of Delta's servers, with only two exceptions, first being MP3s and the second being Myspace.

"Delta's computers are referred to as an 'open lab' which means that the computers can be used for all programs," said Lab Coordinator Rosie Nakatsu. "There is no sensory."

MP3s were blocked three years ago because so many students were downloading music that it clouded the network and slowed down the servers.

Some students may be unhappy with the decision to completely block Myspace, because it is a main communicative website and is used, by some, as an E-mail account. But some students didn't notice the blocker because they check their Myspace on their own time.

"People should be able to use it," said two-year student, Bryant Williams. "If people can look at shoes online, why can't we use Myspace?"

A few female students who were using the lab in Cunningham 220 said they don't care that it is blocked, because they don't check their Myspace at school.

"There are alternatives to using Myspace," said Belarmino. "Every student is given a separate E-mail account through Delta, so that students have a direct communication source to teachers and other students."

Many of the staff have accounts on Myspace, but said they don't use it to reach students.

Delta has a very secure server, as computers control a lot of Delta's resources, such as the library's book checkout system, financial aid and payroll systems, and there are computers to call students is cancelled.

"Myspace is a wonderful tool," said Belarmino. "We only blocked Myspace when it became a problem for students."

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